Feeling left out when you are eight years old can hurt. When a brother or sister take notice magic happens.

The corners of her thin lips curved down while her long blonde eye lashes rested upon rosy cheeks. Tangled blonde hair crumbled on her shoulders with bangs that covered her brows. A petite pug nose graced an oval face. Crossed dainty arms embraced her lanky body as she leaned against her house. Her face snapped to the left at the crackling of a twig.

A much taller girl emerged from the garage door carrying a volley ball. Carmyn put her arms out to get the ball. The older girl shook her head no while her left arm fluttered in mid–air as if signaling to someone. Carmyn crossed her arms again and kicked a stone with her right tennis shoed foot. She slammed her back into the house while the older girl disappeared through the garage door. Tears streamed down Carmyns’ flushed cheeks.

She slid down her body slowly to the ground not caring if she dirtied her white shorts. She unfolded her long arms revealing a blue t-shirt with “Sea World 2004” in white. Now Carmyn covered her face with her hands. To her left an oblong box flew out of the garage door way.

About 15 minutes later Tiffany came out of the garage carrying a hammer. Carmyn watched with large blue eyes as her older sister picked up the oblong box and took it to the middle of the back yard. Hearing giggles in the garage she got up and brushed the dirt on her white shorts. Before she turned left to pass through the door way a parade of four girls marched out. Together with Tiffany they assembled the volley ball net.

In the midst of the net going up six more girls emerged from the door way in a single line. Carmyn giggled when she noticed some of them were her friends.

“Come on guys! Let’s get the game started.” Tiffany shouted.

Carmyn watched as all the girls took a position on either side of the net. Shuffling her feet and in a whispery voice she asked, “Can I play too?”